Green Treated Sleepers

Green treated sleepers

Green treated sleepers are softwood timbers, usually pine, that have been pressure treated with a preservative that gives them a green tinge. They are chunky sections used in landscaping for raised beds, retaining walls, steps, borders and play areas. They offer a straightforward, affordable way to build robust structures in a garden.

Typical uses

• Raised vegetable beds and planters.
• Low retaining walls and terracing.
• Steps, edging and path borders.

Treatment and ground contact

If a sleeper will touch soil, it needs a treatment suitable for ground contact. Check the treatment class and the product details before buying, and re-treat any cut ends. For vegetable beds, consider lining the inside with a membrane and follow current guidance on treated timber near edible crops.

Handling and building

Sleepers are heavy, so use two people to lift, wear gloves and keep to safe lifting practice. For walls higher than a single course, fix courses together with long landscape screws or threaded rods and stagger the joints. Taller retaining walls can carry significant soil loads, so seek proper advice for anything beyond a modest height. Provide drainage behind the wall and a firm, level base.

Ordering

Work out the length and the number of courses, then add 10% for cutting. Think about delivery access, because sleepers are weighty and awkward to move around. See our fence and screens range for related garden products, garden buildings for ideas, and screws, nails and accessories for fixings. Use the quote form for larger orders.